Scottish Highlands

Friday

7:00 – Departed Alnwick via 8 person taxi to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. We were jamming to the music and talking about all the places we were adventuring to! Mike and Cassie were dropped off at the airport and the rest of us (Marie, Sam, Felicia, Sara, Kirstie and I) were taken to the bus station.

9:10 – Picked up by tour bus. We quickly realized we were the youngest people on the tour by about 20 years. That wasn’t a problem! We made lots of good friends soon enough.

10:00 – Break in Hexham . Sam and I visited the Hexham Abbey and were showed around by a sweet old lady. The crypt of the church dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, while the majority of the church was built in the Norman style of the Middle Ages.

12:45 – Dinner break in Moffat. We all decided to go out to eat at the Rumbling Tum. I had Scotch Pie. Afterward, I went to the candy store and bought some dark chocolate truffles. I know I have a problem. Then, I went to the market and purchased a pack of blueberries, which were gone by the time we boarded the bus again.

4:00 – Arrival at Arrochar in the Southern Highlands! After settling in, we went for a walk and since the tide was out explored the weedy and shell covered beach of Loch Long. The purple shells crunched under your feet as you walked.

6:00 – Supper. A lovely 4 course meal. We were very impressed with the quality of food. Next, we got to make good use of our 4 drink vouchers for the night. We talked with several couples from the UK for hours.

Saturday

8:00 – Breakfast. I had a full vegetarian breakfast along with 6 pieces of toast. I was grizzly hungry.

9:30 – Depart for Callander, driving through the mountains and forests of the National Park. Enchanting.

11:00 – Callander Stopover. Marie and I went on a nature walk and checked out several of the shops.

1:00 – Dinner stop within the Trossachs. I had a roll and a raspberry shortbread treat.

2:00 – Loch Lomond, one of the largest lakes in the UK. The girls and I went on an hour long boat ride and tour.

6:00 – Gala Dinner. Another tasty 4 course meal followed by live entertainment and dancing. My favorite drink of the weekend was a Blackcurrant Brandy Lemonade Ginger Ale. Yum yum. After some local girls performed a series of highland dances, it was our turn to show off our moves. We definitely set the trend because it didn’t take long for others to join the American out on the dance floor.

Sunday

8:00 – Breakfast and final pictures outside the hotel. Many Brits came up to us asking to take pictures with us. I guess they enjoyed us the night before. We truly had a grand time.

9:00 – Departure. The trip didn’t feel too long due to the scenery and Frank Sinatra being played and sung by the passengers.

12:00 – Gretna Green blacksmith stopover. This famous Scotland town is their Las Vegas when it comes to eloping. We had tea and other refreshments. No one in our group got married, just in case you were concerned. Ha.

2:30 – Dropped off in Newcastle. We headed over the bus station and boarded a double-decker bus to Alnwick.

5:00 – Back at the castle once more accompanied by great memories.